CANADA'S NATIONAL NURSING UNION ISSUES REPORT PRAISING FOREIGN NURSES

Canada has a nurse shortage just like the US. But ours is probably far worse given the relatively closed immigration policies we have for nurses and the country's lack of foresight in opening more nursing programs and training more nursing instructors. The fact that the Canadian Nursing Association has issued a report recognizing the importance of foreign nurses in the Canadian health care system is certainly noteworthy given that a union would have a natural inclination to want to keep the supply of workers in their field in tight supply. How's this for enlightened:

Immigration is one recognized strategy to ensure sufficient numbers of knowledge workers in the health sciences. Many health professions in Canada, including nursing, are reporting shortages in personnel. A 30 per cent shortage of registered nurses is projected for the next decade. Steps have been taken to alleviate this shortage, including increasing the number of admissions at Canadian nursing schools and improving working conditions to retain more nurses. Nonetheless, CNA believes that effectively addressing the nursing shortage requires a national, integrated health human resource strategy that includes the recognition of immigration as one tactic.

The conventional wisdom in the US is that the American Nursing Association has been blocking nursing immigration legislation in this country. But I believe that this is a myth based on past positions taken by the ANA (which, by the way, is a professional association and no longer a union). I think the ANA would be willing to accept more nurses from abroad with certain concessions - a tax to fund domestic nurse education programs, guarantees that nurses that receive funding from their countries pay back such loans or get their country to otherwise sign of before emigrating (to address brain drain concerns), etc. Look for legislation addressing nurses in the coming months.

Comments

Limbo
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08-31-2007 07:51 AM

Looks like American health care providers have realized the hopelessness of trying to recruit foreign nurses from overseas and have pretty much given up. With the massive number of July applicants, it could take 3 to 5 years to get a nurse here through CP. Who can wait that long?

I think the new strategy is to pillage the Canadian health care system and steal all their nurses since TNs are not numerically capped and can be issued on the spot at border crossings. I have noticed a huge increase in recruitment drives in Canada. Making TNs valid for three years will help a bit here.

What other option do they have at present?

Greg, do you have any inside information about any new senate initiatives? Do you think Schedule A relief is the most likely avenue, or perhaps a new kind of NIV for overseas nurses, or...?

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08-31-2007 01:00 PM

Foreign born nurses play a vital role in healthcare of America. There are a part of them who graduated in the US nursing school with student visa. These people cannot work after their one year OPT expire. They are in the U.S. and ready to help the shortage. Legislation looks like very slow right now.

TX
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08-31-2007 02:06 PM

Another citizen mistaken for an undocumented.

http://cbs11tv.com/local/local_story_242211123.html

Don't know how often this happens, but once enforcement if full force I guess we expect to see more of this.

Jun
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08-31-2007 04:12 PM

I am not optimistic...ANA is against immigration of foreign nurses but ofcouse they won't say that but their actions point to that direction.

I talked to a foreign-born Nurse, who immigrated to the US before and now a citizen, she's like now speaking and acting like she's not an immigrant before. She said that their salary's gone down because of immigrants, she's opposing the huge number of immigrant nurses; although she's saying that she doesn't oppose foreign-nurse immigration but her position is that it must limited to a few numbers per year...ANA is saying the same...

ANA won't support "unlimited" Schedule A visa.

Sean
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09-21-2007 02:19 AM

Just a quick correction.

The CNA is not a union. It's purposes are as follow (from their website):

-CNA advances the discipline of nursing in the interest of the public.
-CNA advocates public policy that incorporates the principles of primary health care (access, inter-disciplinary, patient and community involvement, health promotion including determinants of health and appropriate technology/roles/models) and respects the principles, conditions and spirit of the Canada Health Act.
-CNA advances the regulation of Registered Nurses in the interest of the public.
-CNA works in collaboration with nurses, other health-care providers, health system stakeholders and the public to achieve and sustain quality practice environments and positive client outcomes.
-CNA advances international health policy and development in Canada and abroad to support global health and equity.
-CNA promotes awareness of the nursing profession so that the roles and expertise of Registered Nurses are understood, respected and optimized within the health system.

The unions are run at a provincial level. I know I know...that's not important to what you're saying. But, I figured I would mention it

Amy
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09-23-2007 04:37 PM

I'm a nursing aide currently working in Canada, I'm from the States and I would like to extend my work permit or Permanent Residency . I was told that I need a labour market report on the status of the shortage of health care workers and fill out an application to extend my conditions here in Canada. I'm trying to stay and further my education in the health field either going into LPN or becoming Phys therapist and continue living in Canada after schooling also. I need direction if anyone has any information on how I could continue my stay in Canada and work it would be most helpful.

Marlene Martin
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11-30-2007 11:28 AM

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i think whoever is an register nurse and have an license as nurse and working in usa,should be able to work in canada too,without any exam or any other restriction.

How to start a nursing agency
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03-02-2009 06:52 AM

Yep but I prefer also the pride of filipino nurses.

misssendgiftstophilippines
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08-04-2009 10:02 PM

this is one of the biggest problem of our nurses whose in abroad lack of proper documents we have to work on this area so everything will enjoy the same benefits of nurses working abroad.

Rob @ rns
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09-16-2010 07:41 PM

I think that Canada should ease on the immigration laws concerning foreign rns because this would help address issues on shortages of nurses in the country. The fact that many Canadians do not want to take up nursing should give the government insight on the welfare of the nurses in the hospitals, as many do not get what they are really worth. With the population ageing increasing in an alarming rate, the government should issue directives to fill the gap between demand and supply so that there will be no shortages or shortages will be at its minimal in the future.

Tibia Gold
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10-17-2010 06:19 PM

I think that Canada should ease on the immigration laws concerning foreign rns because this would help address issues on shortages of nurses in the country. I was told that I need a labour market report on the status of the shortage of health care workers and fill out an application to extend my conditions here in Canada. I'm trying to stay and further my education in the health field either going into LPN or becoming Phys therapist and continue living in Canada after schooling also. I need direction if anyone has any information on how I could continue my stay in Canada and work it would be most helpful.